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This Gorgeous Game
Seventeen-year-old Olivia Peters is absolutely over the moon when her literary idol, the celebrated novelist and much-adored local priest Mark D. Brendan, selects her from hundreds of other applicants as the winner of his writing contest. Not only is she invited to take his class at the local university; she also gets one-on-one sessions with him to polish her story and prepare it for publication. But the writing sessions escalate into emails, and texts, and IMs, and gifts, and social events. What was once a delightful opportunity has become a dreadful burden. What kind of game is Father Mark playing? And how on earth can she get out of it?
208 pages, Hardcover
First published May 19, 2010
9 people are currently reading
1619 people want to read
About the author
Donna Freitas
34 books638 followersDonna Freitas is the author of The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano, Consent: A Memoir of Unwanted Attention, and many other novels and nonfiction books for adults, children, and young adults. Her latest YA novel is a rom-com that takes place in her favorite city, Barcelona: Stefi and the Spanish Prince. She has been featured on NPR and The Today Show, and her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The LA Times, among many other places. Donna currently serves on the faculty at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s MFA program. She also lives half the year in Barcelona where she loves partaking of its many bakeries and delicious restaurants galore. Learn more about Donna at www.donnafreitas.com and on Substack: https://donnafreitas.substack.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
April 28, 2011
Favourite Quote: But I have faith in the people that surround me now, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they will catch me if I let myself fall. And so I do. I let myself fall.
Sometimes a book surprises you and that is the case with This Gorgeous Game. I thought it would be good but I never expected to love it as much as I did. There are just so many brilliant elements to this book like exceptional writing, a thought provoking plot and outstanding characters that makes this one of my favourite reads.
17 year old Olivia wins a writing competition. Her prize is a scholarship for the summer to study a writing course and be mentored by Father Mark at the Holy Mary University. Olivia is super excited at first to be learning from her literary idol and also a well respected and adored priest. Father Mark showers attention and praise on Olivia. But soon his keen interest for Olivia turns into something more.
It is a intense read in a subtle kind of way. It explores such dark areas which such sensitivity. I would say it is emotional but never painful to read. And talk about a powerful story. It just lingers with you for days and days after you have finished.
The characters are impressive. Olivia had such an utterly convincing voice. You could really feel her excitement and joy turn to pain, confusion and a sense of helplessness. And Father Mark ~shudders~. The emotional pain he caused Olivia will definitely make you angry and creep you out a little.
However there are also plenty of moments in this book that will bring you happiness like Olivia's relationship with her family, friends and Jamie. Jamie is a guy Olivia meets at the University. There romance is absolutely beautiful. It was written in a subtle way that didn't take away from the important issues this story deals with.
Overall, This Gorgeous Game is a standout story for me. A real and honest read that will leaving you saying WOW.
Thanks Nomes for the rec.
Oh and if you want a visual for Jamie..... http://irresistiblereads.blogspot.com...
Sometimes a book surprises you and that is the case with This Gorgeous Game. I thought it would be good but I never expected to love it as much as I did. There are just so many brilliant elements to this book like exceptional writing, a thought provoking plot and outstanding characters that makes this one of my favourite reads.
17 year old Olivia wins a writing competition. Her prize is a scholarship for the summer to study a writing course and be mentored by Father Mark at the Holy Mary University. Olivia is super excited at first to be learning from her literary idol and also a well respected and adored priest. Father Mark showers attention and praise on Olivia. But soon his keen interest for Olivia turns into something more.
It is a intense read in a subtle kind of way. It explores such dark areas which such sensitivity. I would say it is emotional but never painful to read. And talk about a powerful story. It just lingers with you for days and days after you have finished.
The characters are impressive. Olivia had such an utterly convincing voice. You could really feel her excitement and joy turn to pain, confusion and a sense of helplessness. And Father Mark ~shudders~. The emotional pain he caused Olivia will definitely make you angry and creep you out a little.
However there are also plenty of moments in this book that will bring you happiness like Olivia's relationship with her family, friends and Jamie. Jamie is a guy Olivia meets at the University. There romance is absolutely beautiful. It was written in a subtle way that didn't take away from the important issues this story deals with.
Overall, This Gorgeous Game is a standout story for me. A real and honest read that will leaving you saying WOW.
Thanks Nomes for the rec.
Oh and if you want a visual for Jamie..... http://irresistiblereads.blogspot.com...
June 18, 2012
3.5 stars
On a purely analytical level, This Gorgeous Game ticked several boxes on my mental review checklist: good quality writing, well developed characters, a compelling premise, nuanced exploration of contemporary issues. It’s an accomplished, compact novel – deftly and efficiently handling a complex subject with the gravity it requires.
Yet, on an emotional/gut level – and friends, you well know I am nothing if not an emotional reader – something was lacking.
This Gorgeous Game is a story about manipulation and obsession, mental and emotional exploitation, but Freitas’ unique riff on these topics is to examine them in the context of faith. By placing the perpetrator of these acts of unhealthy fixation in the role of benefactor, mentor and cleric, Freitas also opens up a complicated discussion on religious belief.
Raised and educated a Catholic, (though by her own admission one less staunch than her sister), Olivia must address an abuse of power by someone she regards with implicit trust and respect, even admires. Someone offering a once in a lifetime opportunity. And someone she believed spoke for God. It’s weighty subject matter, yet by keeping the focus tightly on Olivia’s personal experience and emotional journey, the novel remains accessible and relevant to a wider audience.
Stalking is not new territory for young adult literature. But rather than the all too frequent “I’m a paranormal romance hero and imma creep in your window tonight..” (which is a rant for another day), This Gorgeous Game deconstructs the nature of the obsession: the intimidation, isolation, harassment. Importantly, Freitas’ novel highlights the subtle development of Olivia’s increasingly unsettling situation – and how identifying the line between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour is not as clear-cut for the victim as it would seem to others. The insidious creep of psychological manipulation into the characters’ interactions demonstrates just how deeply Olivia’s ability to trust her own judgement has been undermined, and it makes for disturbing reading.
It’s difficult to talk about the writing style of the novel without giving away a major element of the book’s ending, so I won’t discuss it in great detail. Essentially, the first half of the novel didn’t work for me as much as the second. Something about the slow, ponderous tone of the opening chapters felt.. off to me, almost tediously self-conscious. In hindsight, they fit with the end result, but I found them difficult to engage with. Similarly, I experienced some disconnect with Olivia as a character until the story moved more deeply into her mental struggle. While a multi-dimensional character, I initially had no sense of investment in Olivia or her life, or a connection to her voice.
However, as the sheen falls away from the story, and the unpleasant reality of the situation is revealed, This Gorgeous Game became a much more compelling read. The unravelling of Olivia’s apparently perfect life feels authentic, her increasing anxiety and disconnection from her life is insightfully written.
I appreciate the particular angle from which Freitas approaches these themes - not shying away from difficult questions, while not delivering a heavy-handed message – yet I found it less of an emotive reading experience than I expected. Although an unsettling story, I’m not sure that I found it as “chilling” as I had anticipated, and I put this down to my lack of immersion in the characters.
Still, This Gorgeous Game is an important, thought provoking novel, and handles a complicated subject with grace and honesty.
On a purely analytical level, This Gorgeous Game ticked several boxes on my mental review checklist: good quality writing, well developed characters, a compelling premise, nuanced exploration of contemporary issues. It’s an accomplished, compact novel – deftly and efficiently handling a complex subject with the gravity it requires.
Yet, on an emotional/gut level – and friends, you well know I am nothing if not an emotional reader – something was lacking.
This Gorgeous Game is a story about manipulation and obsession, mental and emotional exploitation, but Freitas’ unique riff on these topics is to examine them in the context of faith. By placing the perpetrator of these acts of unhealthy fixation in the role of benefactor, mentor and cleric, Freitas also opens up a complicated discussion on religious belief.
Raised and educated a Catholic, (though by her own admission one less staunch than her sister), Olivia must address an abuse of power by someone she regards with implicit trust and respect, even admires. Someone offering a once in a lifetime opportunity. And someone she believed spoke for God. It’s weighty subject matter, yet by keeping the focus tightly on Olivia’s personal experience and emotional journey, the novel remains accessible and relevant to a wider audience.
Stalking is not new territory for young adult literature. But rather than the all too frequent “I’m a paranormal romance hero and imma creep in your window tonight..” (which is a rant for another day), This Gorgeous Game deconstructs the nature of the obsession: the intimidation, isolation, harassment. Importantly, Freitas’ novel highlights the subtle development of Olivia’s increasingly unsettling situation – and how identifying the line between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour is not as clear-cut for the victim as it would seem to others. The insidious creep of psychological manipulation into the characters’ interactions demonstrates just how deeply Olivia’s ability to trust her own judgement has been undermined, and it makes for disturbing reading.
It’s difficult to talk about the writing style of the novel without giving away a major element of the book’s ending, so I won’t discuss it in great detail. Essentially, the first half of the novel didn’t work for me as much as the second. Something about the slow, ponderous tone of the opening chapters felt.. off to me, almost tediously self-conscious. In hindsight, they fit with the end result, but I found them difficult to engage with. Similarly, I experienced some disconnect with Olivia as a character until the story moved more deeply into her mental struggle. While a multi-dimensional character, I initially had no sense of investment in Olivia or her life, or a connection to her voice.
However, as the sheen falls away from the story, and the unpleasant reality of the situation is revealed, This Gorgeous Game became a much more compelling read. The unravelling of Olivia’s apparently perfect life feels authentic, her increasing anxiety and disconnection from her life is insightfully written.
I appreciate the particular angle from which Freitas approaches these themes - not shying away from difficult questions, while not delivering a heavy-handed message – yet I found it less of an emotive reading experience than I expected. Although an unsettling story, I’m not sure that I found it as “chilling” as I had anticipated, and I put this down to my lack of immersion in the characters.
Still, This Gorgeous Game is an important, thought provoking novel, and handles a complicated subject with grace and honesty.
March 22, 2013
I chose to read "This gorgeous game" written by Donna Freitas because France recommended it and gave it high praise.
This novel fits into the "a book that taught you about a culture" because of strong presence ties to the Catholic faith though out the text. I really enjoyed it because I am not a religious person nor do I believe in religion because it the thought scares me. It was really interesting for me to see how people’s lives are impacted by religion and so on.
My favourite character in this gorgeous game was Olivia the main character. The reason for this is because of the major character development throughout the text. Her personality and maturity really grew because of the events that took place with the stalker.
"But I have faith in the people that surround me now, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they will catch me if I let myself fall. And so I do. I let myself fall."
This quote stood out for me because after everything thing that happened, Olivia the main character realised that she could trust the people around her and that everything was going to be okay. I also really like the way Freitas used the word "fall" to describe the stumbles and mistakes she will make in her life.
This book taught me that family and friends are always here for you no matter the circumstances. When Olivia was in trouble she was nervous and scared to ask for help from her family, however when she finally did they helped through and all was resolved.
This novel fits into the "a book that taught you about a culture" because of strong presence ties to the Catholic faith though out the text. I really enjoyed it because I am not a religious person nor do I believe in religion because it the thought scares me. It was really interesting for me to see how people’s lives are impacted by religion and so on.
My favourite character in this gorgeous game was Olivia the main character. The reason for this is because of the major character development throughout the text. Her personality and maturity really grew because of the events that took place with the stalker.
"But I have faith in the people that surround me now, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they will catch me if I let myself fall. And so I do. I let myself fall."
This quote stood out for me because after everything thing that happened, Olivia the main character realised that she could trust the people around her and that everything was going to be okay. I also really like the way Freitas used the word "fall" to describe the stumbles and mistakes she will make in her life.
This book taught me that family and friends are always here for you no matter the circumstances. When Olivia was in trouble she was nervous and scared to ask for help from her family, however when she finally did they helped through and all was resolved.
October 8, 2010
I had a big problem with this novel, because of the time in which it is set. A lot of the trusting nature of Catholics towards priests was clearly a 1950s-1980s model, before the exposure of sexual abuse by priests. Yet, it is set in the here and now, and I had a real hard time believing that everyone was oblivious to Mark the narcissist and power guy stalking this poor high school girl. Freitas tries to explain away the acceptance with the father figure priests throughout Olivia's life, but how often does that happen these days? That, too, is a 1950s-1960s model. Priests today are too darn busy to be visiting parishioners on a regular basis, unless the parishioner is a mover and shaker in the parish. And no priest today is stupid enough to try to take on a 'father figure' role unless they're in Opus Dei, and that is not the case in this novel.
While there is this discussion 3/4 of the way through by the staunch Catholics in Olivia's family about abuse accusers just wanting to drain the financial coffers of the Church, and a mention about Boston, this would have been a discussion held in 2002, not 2010. It almost seemed to me as if Freitas started this book in 2002 but didn't finish until now and didn't update it. What American Catholic in this day and age idolizes ANY priest or should idolize a priest, let alone some famous Andrew Greeley-type novelist? (And I think Andrew Greeley himself would whole heartedly agree)
As another reviewer has noted, it is a textbook description of a stalker, and I found the detail about a predator's process pf grooming and developing control of his objective to be of great value to teens so they know what to notice. The guy's so creepy from the get go that me as an adult wanted to jump into the book and rip his throat out.
I was gratified by the ending, thankful that Olivia asked for help, and especially thankful for the character of Sister June. Few nuns are cowed by priests and she needed to be the knight in shining armor. Olivia's network of friends to take over for her - carry her- was a nice invitation to someone reading this who may need the same assistance (not necessarily being stalked by a priest).
I didn't particularly care for the juxtaposition of Thomas Merton's experience with an adult nurse and the novel's characters, as one is a teenage girl. It's not the same, although I will accept that Mark the narcissist had it in his mind that he was a Thomas Merton-like tortured figure. In 'reality' the guy was an insecure controlling abuser, who I don't think experienced much torture in his soul regardng the situation, other than the fact that he wasn't succeeding in his conquest as he had hoped.
I kind of wished Freitas had removed the Church/priest aspect and had just written a story about a famous novelist turned stalker. It would have lowered the complication factor.
While there is this discussion 3/4 of the way through by the staunch Catholics in Olivia's family about abuse accusers just wanting to drain the financial coffers of the Church, and a mention about Boston, this would have been a discussion held in 2002, not 2010. It almost seemed to me as if Freitas started this book in 2002 but didn't finish until now and didn't update it. What American Catholic in this day and age idolizes ANY priest or should idolize a priest, let alone some famous Andrew Greeley-type novelist? (And I think Andrew Greeley himself would whole heartedly agree)
As another reviewer has noted, it is a textbook description of a stalker, and I found the detail about a predator's process pf grooming and developing control of his objective to be of great value to teens so they know what to notice. The guy's so creepy from the get go that me as an adult wanted to jump into the book and rip his throat out.
I was gratified by the ending, thankful that Olivia asked for help, and especially thankful for the character of Sister June. Few nuns are cowed by priests and she needed to be the knight in shining armor. Olivia's network of friends to take over for her - carry her- was a nice invitation to someone reading this who may need the same assistance (not necessarily being stalked by a priest).
I didn't particularly care for the juxtaposition of Thomas Merton's experience with an adult nurse and the novel's characters, as one is a teenage girl. It's not the same, although I will accept that Mark the narcissist had it in his mind that he was a Thomas Merton-like tortured figure. In 'reality' the guy was an insecure controlling abuser, who I don't think experienced much torture in his soul regardng the situation, other than the fact that he wasn't succeeding in his conquest as he had hoped.
I kind of wished Freitas had removed the Church/priest aspect and had just written a story about a famous novelist turned stalker. It would have lowered the complication factor.
April 29, 2011
I psyched myself up before reading this because it looked intense and emotional and maybe even a little disturbing.
It was kinda intense and it hit me hard emotionally but don't let the slightly disturbing subject matter deter you from reading this. Despite the premise, there is a lot of breathing space in these pages which not only focuses on the main premise, but also includes a beautiful love story and an unforgettable main character with a cast of faithful and fun friends.
There's a lot to admire about this book. It's lyrical and haunting. There's moments of stillness amidst bubbles of fear. It's a little creepy and I had chills by the end. It's a page turner with masterful execution of the plot.
The ending was powerful and liberating. It really superseded my expectations and I know I'll be passing it on to teens I know.
I had this sense of peace and empowerment when I finished reading the book. It's a story that will linger and I am so glad that this story has been told.
*Slightly spoilery, but not much ~ so just click it anyways:* (especially Tina b/c it make help you make a decision as to whether you want to read it :)
It was kinda intense and it hit me hard emotionally but don't let the slightly disturbing subject matter deter you from reading this. Despite the premise, there is a lot of breathing space in these pages which not only focuses on the main premise, but also includes a beautiful love story and an unforgettable main character with a cast of faithful and fun friends.
There's a lot to admire about this book. It's lyrical and haunting. There's moments of stillness amidst bubbles of fear. It's a little creepy and I had chills by the end. It's a page turner with masterful execution of the plot.
The ending was powerful and liberating. It really superseded my expectations and I know I'll be passing it on to teens I know.
I had this sense of peace and empowerment when I finished reading the book. It's a story that will linger and I am so glad that this story has been told.
*Slightly spoilery, but not much ~ so just click it anyways:* (especially Tina b/c it make help you make a decision as to whether you want to read it :)
April 29, 2010
Prior to being contacted by Farrar, Straus and Giroux about whether I might be interested in reviewing THIS GORGEOUS GAME, I had never heard of Donna Freitas or the novel itself. This is actually Ms. Freitas' second book for young adults after her debut The Possibilities of Sainthood. And I have to say I wasn't sure whether or not the book was for me after reading the basic synopsis available over at Macmillan's site. But then I scrolled down and read the lovely blurbs by Sara Zarr and Francisco Stork, as well as the always awesome Little Willow's review and I was sold. Thanks to those excellent encouragements, as well as one impressive and refreshingly heartfelt recommendation from my contact at Macmillan, I accepted a copy for review. And I am so very glad I did. Because this is a singularly impressive book and one that deserves to be passed around and read and shared and talked about.
Seventeen-year-old Olivia Peters cannot believe her good luck. The results of the writing contest she entered months ago (and has been hoping and wishing and praying she'll win ever since) have come through and first place is hers. Father Mark D. Brendan--the famous novelist and professor and priest--has chosen her story. And not only will she receive a sizable scholarship, but Olivia herself will be able to attend Father Mark's summer writing seminar at her local university and benefit from her idol's one-on-one tutelage. Her mother, her sister, and her two best friends are so excited for her and it is with barely contained joy that she ventures onto campus to register for the course. Once there, she even contemplates attending HMU in the fall as the campus is so lovely and the crop of attractive young college boys so charming, particularly one Jamie Grant--a young philosophy major who's trying to get into Father Mark's seminar and seems interested in getting to know Olivia just as much as she'd like to get to know him. And then Olivia actually runs into Father Mark outside the registrar's office. And he congratulates her once more on winning, wants to meet her for a drink to discuss her story before the seminar begins. And, flattered, she accepts. And, quietly, it begins.
The opening passage (from my uncorrected galley):
That's right. That's how it starts. Well, if you're anything like me, there's no turning back after that little throwing down of the gauntlet. You turn the page and the narrative immediately jumps back to the beginning of the summer, to the moment when Olivia discovers she's won the contest, which is where it really all starts. And from that moment on the reader serves as a silent witness to the slow, but relentless unraveling of a young woman's life, to what happens when the person she thought she could trust turns out to be the kind of person she's afraid to put a name to. I really admire the incredibly restrained and subtle way Donna Freitas approaches this potentially horrific subject matter. Instead of taking it quickly and provocatively to the bad place, she keeps Olivia's tale tightly reined in and, as a result, we are able to absorb and reflect on her experiences as they happen. Which is not to say that it's a slow read. Nothing could be further from the truth. I read it through from cover to cover in one sitting, unable to take my eyes away from the page, partly because I had to see how it all played out and partly because I didn't want to leave Olivia alone for even a moment. The whole thing stays almost exclusively in her head and I was very much with her, aching for her, hoping she would be able to find both clarity and a solution and somehow emerge from this hunching shadow that has overtaken her life. I loved THIS GORGEOUS GAME. I loved the quotes before each new section and the short, poignant chapter titles (particularly the exquisite "On Dark Nights of the Soul"). It is a haunted, urgent, dreamlike, yet very real story and one that will not be leaving my thoughts for the foreseeable future. THIS GORGEOUS GAME is due out May 25th.
A note on the cover: I love the title. Once you've read the book it takes on a whole other level of meaning. The cover image itself is decidedly chilling and, though I think it is perfect, it's still hard to look at.
Seventeen-year-old Olivia Peters cannot believe her good luck. The results of the writing contest she entered months ago (and has been hoping and wishing and praying she'll win ever since) have come through and first place is hers. Father Mark D. Brendan--the famous novelist and professor and priest--has chosen her story. And not only will she receive a sizable scholarship, but Olivia herself will be able to attend Father Mark's summer writing seminar at her local university and benefit from her idol's one-on-one tutelage. Her mother, her sister, and her two best friends are so excited for her and it is with barely contained joy that she ventures onto campus to register for the course. Once there, she even contemplates attending HMU in the fall as the campus is so lovely and the crop of attractive young college boys so charming, particularly one Jamie Grant--a young philosophy major who's trying to get into Father Mark's seminar and seems interested in getting to know Olivia just as much as she'd like to get to know him. And then Olivia actually runs into Father Mark outside the registrar's office. And he congratulates her once more on winning, wants to meet her for a drink to discuss her story before the seminar begins. And, flattered, she accepts. And, quietly, it begins.
The opening passage (from my uncorrected galley):
I know I know I know I should be grateful, I should be grateful to have his attention. To have him take such an interest in me.
I should. I know I should.
I will. No, you are grateful, Olivia, I tell myself as if I am my self's imaginary friend, sitting across the table, giving advice. Start acting grateful then, she begs.
I have a gift. I have a gift from God, he says. So rare he hasn't seen it in all his many years. I'm the real thing, he says. I'm a once in a liftetime, he says. I'm special and it's his responsibility to take me under his wing, to make sure I don't waste my talent. It would be a sin not to help me, he says. It would be a sin for me not to take his offer of help.
But I swear to God . . . no . . . scratch that . . . I'll not be swearing to God . . . I swear to Who Knows What that his latest demand, this pile of typewritten pages he hands me with a face that says, Please, Olivia, oh please don't be difficult and just do this for me, is staring, no, it's glaring at me from the coffee table like a monster that might eat me. I feel like if I touch it I will go up in flames or the pages might bite.
Am I making too much of this? Isn't it just a matter of grabbing hold of the stack and moving it in front of my eyes so my eyes will begin to scan those black marks on the page which will magically arrange themselves into words that my brain will recognize and understand and voila, I'm finished before I know it.
Then, when he asks, because he will ask, I'll be able to answer truthfully, "Yes, I read it. I did," and he will smile and I'll be Good Olivia again.
I wish I'd never won that stupid prize which is what got me noticed by him . . . no . . . what got my writing noticed by him which is what led to the initial introduction which somehow turned into communications and invitations and coffees and attending office hours and going to High Profile Events together--his words--even before the summer started.
He means well. He does. After all, what else could he mean?
That's right. That's how it starts. Well, if you're anything like me, there's no turning back after that little throwing down of the gauntlet. You turn the page and the narrative immediately jumps back to the beginning of the summer, to the moment when Olivia discovers she's won the contest, which is where it really all starts. And from that moment on the reader serves as a silent witness to the slow, but relentless unraveling of a young woman's life, to what happens when the person she thought she could trust turns out to be the kind of person she's afraid to put a name to. I really admire the incredibly restrained and subtle way Donna Freitas approaches this potentially horrific subject matter. Instead of taking it quickly and provocatively to the bad place, she keeps Olivia's tale tightly reined in and, as a result, we are able to absorb and reflect on her experiences as they happen. Which is not to say that it's a slow read. Nothing could be further from the truth. I read it through from cover to cover in one sitting, unable to take my eyes away from the page, partly because I had to see how it all played out and partly because I didn't want to leave Olivia alone for even a moment. The whole thing stays almost exclusively in her head and I was very much with her, aching for her, hoping she would be able to find both clarity and a solution and somehow emerge from this hunching shadow that has overtaken her life. I loved THIS GORGEOUS GAME. I loved the quotes before each new section and the short, poignant chapter titles (particularly the exquisite "On Dark Nights of the Soul"). It is a haunted, urgent, dreamlike, yet very real story and one that will not be leaving my thoughts for the foreseeable future. THIS GORGEOUS GAME is due out May 25th.
A note on the cover: I love the title. Once you've read the book it takes on a whole other level of meaning. The cover image itself is decidedly chilling and, though I think it is perfect, it's still hard to look at.
January 14, 2012
It starts off innocent enough. Kind words. Little notes. But then it morphs. You don't see the shift at first because it's subtle. And really, it's not too much different than it was before. But then the hand comes down and you're left with a ruffled brow and a question mark over your head. The next thing you know, you're desperate to get out of the situation but you're in so deep, you don't know how.
As someone that's been in a very similar situation to Olivia, I could automatically sympathize with her. Even if I hadn't been, Olivia is a very commanding character. She's very likable, very honest. Really, it's hard not to like her. If you're a writer, you can share in her enthusiasm when she wins a coveted writing prize plus a chance to learn from a literary master. Who wouldn't love that? But it's when that power figure starts to abuse his power that things start to get ugly.
Olivia was such a pretty girl but the things Father Mark did to her (he never touched her inappropriately, in a sexual manner, mind) caused her to spiral. Her worry and her distress at the situation she was in started to show on her face. When a person you love starts to downward spiral like that, it's hard not to notice. I could actually see her at the end of the book; her face sallow, her hair lackluster, her eyes red and puffy from crying. I wanted to tell her I understood, that everything would turn out okay.
Freitas' writing just sucked me right in (obviously). She got it right. The reactions of the power player, the reactions of Olivia, they all hit home. They all rang true. I felt every twinge, every bit of happiness, every threat of fear. I could feel it in my bones. Trust me, it's a shitty feeling. But I almost wish Freitas would have done the power play with a younger man just so we could have another Albatross, another rejection of the stalker = love notion that's so dominant in YA right now. But it was amazing as is.
Father Mark had something of Olivia's that he knew he could manipulate to make his own. She's young, naive, afraid of losing it all. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to shout at the book, "drop him! Your writing life won't end! He's lying!" But she had to see it on her own. It still didn't suck any less to watch someone, even someone fictional, go through something like that. But at least she had the support structure around her to help her through it, once she brought them in, anyway.
Making Father Mark the community pillar didn't help Olivia either. It made her wanting to turn him in even harder. Who would believe her? He, a nationally recognized novelist and priest, over some pretty little blonde kid? The ending wasn't a perfect wrap-up either. A switch wasn't flicked that made everything all better. It was a slow process that we just start to see unfold as the final pages pass by. And I liked that. In a situation like this, it's not all cookie cutter. It's hard and it's painful and it's going to take a long time to heal. I'm glad Freitas didn't gloss over that fact.
You will not want to put this book down once you pick it up. You will want to soak in every single word, cheer with Olivia, cry with Olivia, scream at her, help her. So go ahead. Do it. You won't regret it. It's a hard topic but one that needs to be discussed and Freitas does an excellent job of that.
As someone that's been in a very similar situation to Olivia, I could automatically sympathize with her. Even if I hadn't been, Olivia is a very commanding character. She's very likable, very honest. Really, it's hard not to like her. If you're a writer, you can share in her enthusiasm when she wins a coveted writing prize plus a chance to learn from a literary master. Who wouldn't love that? But it's when that power figure starts to abuse his power that things start to get ugly.
Olivia was such a pretty girl but the things Father Mark did to her (he never touched her inappropriately, in a sexual manner, mind) caused her to spiral. Her worry and her distress at the situation she was in started to show on her face. When a person you love starts to downward spiral like that, it's hard not to notice. I could actually see her at the end of the book; her face sallow, her hair lackluster, her eyes red and puffy from crying. I wanted to tell her I understood, that everything would turn out okay.
Freitas' writing just sucked me right in (obviously). She got it right. The reactions of the power player, the reactions of Olivia, they all hit home. They all rang true. I felt every twinge, every bit of happiness, every threat of fear. I could feel it in my bones. Trust me, it's a shitty feeling. But I almost wish Freitas would have done the power play with a younger man just so we could have another Albatross, another rejection of the stalker = love notion that's so dominant in YA right now. But it was amazing as is.
Father Mark had something of Olivia's that he knew he could manipulate to make his own. She's young, naive, afraid of losing it all. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to shout at the book, "drop him! Your writing life won't end! He's lying!" But she had to see it on her own. It still didn't suck any less to watch someone, even someone fictional, go through something like that. But at least she had the support structure around her to help her through it, once she brought them in, anyway.
Making Father Mark the community pillar didn't help Olivia either. It made her wanting to turn him in even harder. Who would believe her? He, a nationally recognized novelist and priest, over some pretty little blonde kid? The ending wasn't a perfect wrap-up either. A switch wasn't flicked that made everything all better. It was a slow process that we just start to see unfold as the final pages pass by. And I liked that. In a situation like this, it's not all cookie cutter. It's hard and it's painful and it's going to take a long time to heal. I'm glad Freitas didn't gloss over that fact.
You will not want to put this book down once you pick it up. You will want to soak in every single word, cheer with Olivia, cry with Olivia, scream at her, help her. So go ahead. Do it. You won't regret it. It's a hard topic but one that needs to be discussed and Freitas does an excellent job of that.
November 12, 2011
"I am frightened. Father Mark frightens me. This is what is wrong.
This.
In this moment - this very particular moment, with me reddening and him smiling - I see something a tad sinister, in his eyes, calculating, measuring, appraising me like I am a bauble, a jewel with karats, clarity, cut, a possession. Something moves inside me, turns to ice, and a small, cold bead of warning lodges itself in the bottom curve of my heart and I think, How have I not noticed this before? and Maybe I didn't allow myself to and Why did it take me so long to see?"
Olivia Peters is finishing her junior year at Sacred Heart, an all-girls Catholic school. She is bright and beautiful, so much so that she feels others often underestimate her because of her looks. Her world immediately changes, when she wins a high school fiction writers contest, one that will allow her to attend a summer seminar by a local priest/bestselling author, Mark Brendan. Olivia is excited, because she has idolized Brendan's work for years, and knows the opportunities that this will afford her. But as she begins to meet with Father Mark, she realizes that his interest in her work, and in her as a person, is becoming uncomfortable. Without even understanding how it has escalated so quickly, Olivia finds herself fearful of Father Mark, of his attention, and what he will do if she does not respond to him. With the help of her boyfriend, best friends, and her mother, Olivia must try to reconcile her deep Catholic faith, and her lifelong dreams of becoming a writer, with the fact that Father Mark's interest in her has become more than friendly.
An excellent book about an unhealthy teacher-student relationship, but also about a crisis of faith. Freitas, who teaches religious studies at Boston University, writes about Olivia and her situation with great understanding. I did find the plot line a little transparent, and I would have appreciated knowing more about why Father Mark felt so drawn to Olivia in the first place. Still, this is Olivia's story, not his, and the novel is very strong when it takes readers inside Olivia's mind as she grapples with what is happening to her.
This.
In this moment - this very particular moment, with me reddening and him smiling - I see something a tad sinister, in his eyes, calculating, measuring, appraising me like I am a bauble, a jewel with karats, clarity, cut, a possession. Something moves inside me, turns to ice, and a small, cold bead of warning lodges itself in the bottom curve of my heart and I think, How have I not noticed this before? and Maybe I didn't allow myself to and Why did it take me so long to see?"
Olivia Peters is finishing her junior year at Sacred Heart, an all-girls Catholic school. She is bright and beautiful, so much so that she feels others often underestimate her because of her looks. Her world immediately changes, when she wins a high school fiction writers contest, one that will allow her to attend a summer seminar by a local priest/bestselling author, Mark Brendan. Olivia is excited, because she has idolized Brendan's work for years, and knows the opportunities that this will afford her. But as she begins to meet with Father Mark, she realizes that his interest in her work, and in her as a person, is becoming uncomfortable. Without even understanding how it has escalated so quickly, Olivia finds herself fearful of Father Mark, of his attention, and what he will do if she does not respond to him. With the help of her boyfriend, best friends, and her mother, Olivia must try to reconcile her deep Catholic faith, and her lifelong dreams of becoming a writer, with the fact that Father Mark's interest in her has become more than friendly.
An excellent book about an unhealthy teacher-student relationship, but also about a crisis of faith. Freitas, who teaches religious studies at Boston University, writes about Olivia and her situation with great understanding. I did find the plot line a little transparent, and I would have appreciated knowing more about why Father Mark felt so drawn to Olivia in the first place. Still, this is Olivia's story, not his, and the novel is very strong when it takes readers inside Olivia's mind as she grapples with what is happening to her.
November 18, 2010
In Donna Freitas, I may have found the author who best speaks to the experience of being a young adult and Catholic.
"This Gorgeous Game" opens with Olivia winning a scholarship and publication for a short story she's written. The benefactor of the scholarship is a well-known author who also happens to be a Catholic Priest (he reminded me a bit of a Father Greeley type figure in his literary prominence). Although Olivia is originally thrilled with the attention winning brings from her idol, Father Mark, about halfway through the story the attention begins to feel like too much.
Freitas provides Olivia's first boyfriend, Jamie, as a foil to Father Mark and an anchor to Olivia's life as a teenager, along with her friends Jada and Ashley. Olivia's mother, sister, and sister's fiance represent those who are almost blindly devoted to Catholicism, but in a way that is somewhat sweet and innocent rather than dogmatic. Olivia's relationship with her religion is a little more nuanced, but still devoted enough that she struggles with her faith considerably as she comes to terms with the fact that Father Mark is stalking her.
What impressed me most about this book was how Freitas walked the line with Father Mark's attention to Olivia; I could really feel the suffocation of her situation, and yet also the helplessness of it because Mark never did anything that seemed overtly wrong (such as sexually assault Olivia, which is where I thought this book would take the topic). Although the pacing and prose feels uneven in places--especially around the middle--the strength of the ending and the sensitivity with which Freitas handles her topic make up for it. I appreciate the presence of an author who can write about the complexities of growing up Catholic and navigating Catholic scandal and injustice while doing justice to the allegiance one can feel to her faith in spite of it.
"This Gorgeous Game" opens with Olivia winning a scholarship and publication for a short story she's written. The benefactor of the scholarship is a well-known author who also happens to be a Catholic Priest (he reminded me a bit of a Father Greeley type figure in his literary prominence). Although Olivia is originally thrilled with the attention winning brings from her idol, Father Mark, about halfway through the story the attention begins to feel like too much.
Freitas provides Olivia's first boyfriend, Jamie, as a foil to Father Mark and an anchor to Olivia's life as a teenager, along with her friends Jada and Ashley. Olivia's mother, sister, and sister's fiance represent those who are almost blindly devoted to Catholicism, but in a way that is somewhat sweet and innocent rather than dogmatic. Olivia's relationship with her religion is a little more nuanced, but still devoted enough that she struggles with her faith considerably as she comes to terms with the fact that Father Mark is stalking her.
What impressed me most about this book was how Freitas walked the line with Father Mark's attention to Olivia; I could really feel the suffocation of her situation, and yet also the helplessness of it because Mark never did anything that seemed overtly wrong (such as sexually assault Olivia, which is where I thought this book would take the topic). Although the pacing and prose feels uneven in places--especially around the middle--the strength of the ending and the sensitivity with which Freitas handles her topic make up for it. I appreciate the presence of an author who can write about the complexities of growing up Catholic and navigating Catholic scandal and injustice while doing justice to the allegiance one can feel to her faith in spite of it.
May 20, 2010
Rating: 3.5
I was so excited to read This Gorgeous Game because its summary was chilling and potentially controversial. Sadly, it did not meet my expectations. Parts of the plot could of been more powerful if the author pushed the envelope a little bit. Everything seemed to stay on the surface and I never truly got to experience the dangerous game between victim and priest. Olivia, the main character was an innocent, simplistic and gifted seventeen year old girl. She was a stand up student with a natural ability for writing. Family values, religion and her best friends were very important to her. Since her father wasn't around, priests seemed to take the place of father figures.
Olivia's talent in writing won her a contest hosted by the honorable and famous local novelist, Father Mark. At first, he showed great interested in helping Olivia with editing her story. But, as time went on he started acting creepy and showed signs of obsession. The most annoying thing about Olivia is her lack of common sense. I immediately picked up on his inappropriate behavior and hoped she would stop making excuses for him. I never thought the priest was led on however, she didn't voice her concerns either. Donna did a great job capturing the priest's unhealthy behavior through Olivia's narration. I just wish she would of digged more into his thought process. It would of definitely made it a little more interesting to see his inner struggles. Overall, the concept was there. It just lacked the controversial and thrilling manner I was expecting. But, it was a light read that held my attention throughout the book.
I was so excited to read This Gorgeous Game because its summary was chilling and potentially controversial. Sadly, it did not meet my expectations. Parts of the plot could of been more powerful if the author pushed the envelope a little bit. Everything seemed to stay on the surface and I never truly got to experience the dangerous game between victim and priest. Olivia, the main character was an innocent, simplistic and gifted seventeen year old girl. She was a stand up student with a natural ability for writing. Family values, religion and her best friends were very important to her. Since her father wasn't around, priests seemed to take the place of father figures.
Olivia's talent in writing won her a contest hosted by the honorable and famous local novelist, Father Mark. At first, he showed great interested in helping Olivia with editing her story. But, as time went on he started acting creepy and showed signs of obsession. The most annoying thing about Olivia is her lack of common sense. I immediately picked up on his inappropriate behavior and hoped she would stop making excuses for him. I never thought the priest was led on however, she didn't voice her concerns either. Donna did a great job capturing the priest's unhealthy behavior through Olivia's narration. I just wish she would of digged more into his thought process. It would of definitely made it a little more interesting to see his inner struggles. Overall, the concept was there. It just lacked the controversial and thrilling manner I was expecting. But, it was a light read that held my attention throughout the book.
March 25, 2011
Read this in one sitting on a lazy day on the Oregon coast. In some ways, I wish the idea of the novel wasn't quite so transparent. The first 73 pages have one perspective on a character, and from then on, there's a very different perspective on the same character. And when you know the concept of the book, the first section is either transparent (and therefore kind of tedious), or ominous, depending on how you look at it. The romance and other relationships felt a bit underdeveloped, although I was impressed by the integration of the Catholic culture content. Interesting and enjoyable, pretty much exactly what you expect it to be.
Ok, I guess this is what bugged me about this book. The villain feels especially underdeveloped. You have no idea why he is the way he is and he just seems all-round evil. I appreciate that this is a novel focusing on the victim of the inappropriate behavior, but I wanted just an inkling of what the heck is wrong with this guy to make him such a... bad person.
Right on the edge of appeal between Unhappily Ever After titles and fluffy girly realistic books.
Ok, I guess this is what bugged me about this book. The villain feels especially underdeveloped. You have no idea why he is the way he is and he just seems all-round evil. I appreciate that this is a novel focusing on the victim of the inappropriate behavior, but I wanted just an inkling of what the heck is wrong with this guy to make him such a... bad person.
Right on the edge of appeal between Unhappily Ever After titles and fluffy girly realistic books.
June 10, 2010
I thought this story was a very effective portrayal about how it feels to be stalked, to have your life taken away one inch at a time.
Olivia was raised Catholic, and she draws comfort from her religion. She believes in its system - her father left when she was young, and the priests of her parish stepped in as father-figure. She has been brought up to believe that the priest is the symbol of God as human, and those in his parish are happy to do as he tells them because God speaks through him. As a result, she trusts priests, respects them, and even loves them (at least on some level).
Because of this, I found her compliance with Father Mark completely understandable. On top of her regular feelings about priests, she's star-struck because he's her literary idol. Plus, she's content with her life and has no reason to question or rebel. It takes some time before she starts to question his behavior, which is also understandable because humans often choose not to see things that will corrupt the things we love. When she does begin to question, I think her reactions and feelings are spot on.
I also completely understand her need for help in the end. It's her way of drawing strength so she can deal with everything. In cases like these, it's nearly impossible to handle effectively on your own. It also takes a great deal of courage to go to friends and loved ones with a situation like hers, so I thought she came out of the story much stronger.
All that said, there was a large part of this story that just did not work for me, and that was Father Mark. I've been the victim of manipulation, and Father Mark wasn't the creative and creepy bad guy that he was made out to be. Manipulators use guilt to get what they want (as well as other things), and he didn't. He could have been far, far more creative in trying to get what he wanted. Also, there was a large piece missing from the end, which was really necessary to the story. And very necessary for Olivia.
SPOILER WARNING
We never find out how Olivia confronts Father Mark. Does she do it through her mother? Her school's principal? Publicly? And how does he react? Horrified? Guilty? Feigning innocence? Does he attempt to apologize, or does he try to manipulate his way out of the situation? Has he done this before (to other girls), or did his good intentions get way out of hand? These are all incredibly important details, because they directly affect Olivia and how she will begin to heal. Without them, I can't connect to Olivia because I don't know what she's feeling. I kind of feel cheated because I spent the entire story connected to Olivia, and then that was taken away.
Still, I enjoyed this book. It grabbed me and held me, right up until the end.
Olivia was raised Catholic, and she draws comfort from her religion. She believes in its system - her father left when she was young, and the priests of her parish stepped in as father-figure. She has been brought up to believe that the priest is the symbol of God as human, and those in his parish are happy to do as he tells them because God speaks through him. As a result, she trusts priests, respects them, and even loves them (at least on some level).
Because of this, I found her compliance with Father Mark completely understandable. On top of her regular feelings about priests, she's star-struck because he's her literary idol. Plus, she's content with her life and has no reason to question or rebel. It takes some time before she starts to question his behavior, which is also understandable because humans often choose not to see things that will corrupt the things we love. When she does begin to question, I think her reactions and feelings are spot on.
I also completely understand her need for help in the end. It's her way of drawing strength so she can deal with everything. In cases like these, it's nearly impossible to handle effectively on your own. It also takes a great deal of courage to go to friends and loved ones with a situation like hers, so I thought she came out of the story much stronger.
All that said, there was a large part of this story that just did not work for me, and that was Father Mark. I've been the victim of manipulation, and Father Mark wasn't the creative and creepy bad guy that he was made out to be. Manipulators use guilt to get what they want (as well as other things), and he didn't. He could have been far, far more creative in trying to get what he wanted. Also, there was a large piece missing from the end, which was really necessary to the story. And very necessary for Olivia.
SPOILER WARNING
We never find out how Olivia confronts Father Mark. Does she do it through her mother? Her school's principal? Publicly? And how does he react? Horrified? Guilty? Feigning innocence? Does he attempt to apologize, or does he try to manipulate his way out of the situation? Has he done this before (to other girls), or did his good intentions get way out of hand? These are all incredibly important details, because they directly affect Olivia and how she will begin to heal. Without them, I can't connect to Olivia because I don't know what she's feeling. I kind of feel cheated because I spent the entire story connected to Olivia, and then that was taken away.
Still, I enjoyed this book. It grabbed me and held me, right up until the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2010
This Gorgeous Game is simple, and slightly haunting.
When Olivia wins a writing competition, she's honored and excited to be taken under the wing of Father Mark Brendan. The talented writer helps hone her writing skills, and she begins to feel like she's the luckiest person in the world until Father Mark's attentions turn into obsession. He calls too much, writes too much, sends too many packages. Yet the one he wants her to read most of all, a story he's written, Olivia can't bear to read the words because she fears what they will say...
Olivia seemed a bit bland at first, but then I grew to enjoy her narrative more. Father Mark's was especially intriguing, and the pacing with his character and the creepiness was perfect. I really couldn't help but to sympathize with Olivia, considering that she's grown up trusting these priests, letting them act as her own "father" figures, and so it did take her some time before she realized Father Mark's ulterior motive.
With a slight eerie feel, This Gorgeous Game sends a shiver down your spine as the pages turn.
Highlights: The pacing was quick, and the creepy feel of the story grows gradually. I think the author got the eerie feel just right. Olivia's actions at the end were slow coming, but I was pleased with the result.
Lowlights: The plot could have been developed more, and some of the characters seemed underdeveloped as well. A few characters seemed entirely unbelievable. I also really disliked the complete and utter clueless attitudes that all the characters had, and I'm still shocked that no one could have realized this earlier on.
Rating: 4 out of 5
When Olivia wins a writing competition, she's honored and excited to be taken under the wing of Father Mark Brendan. The talented writer helps hone her writing skills, and she begins to feel like she's the luckiest person in the world until Father Mark's attentions turn into obsession. He calls too much, writes too much, sends too many packages. Yet the one he wants her to read most of all, a story he's written, Olivia can't bear to read the words because she fears what they will say...
Olivia seemed a bit bland at first, but then I grew to enjoy her narrative more. Father Mark's was especially intriguing, and the pacing with his character and the creepiness was perfect. I really couldn't help but to sympathize with Olivia, considering that she's grown up trusting these priests, letting them act as her own "father" figures, and so it did take her some time before she realized Father Mark's ulterior motive.
With a slight eerie feel, This Gorgeous Game sends a shiver down your spine as the pages turn.
Highlights: The pacing was quick, and the creepy feel of the story grows gradually. I think the author got the eerie feel just right. Olivia's actions at the end were slow coming, but I was pleased with the result.
Lowlights: The plot could have been developed more, and some of the characters seemed underdeveloped as well. A few characters seemed entirely unbelievable. I also really disliked the complete and utter clueless attitudes that all the characters had, and I'm still shocked that no one could have realized this earlier on.
Rating: 4 out of 5
May 22, 2010
Bottom Line – This story, in it's raw form, is about a teenage girl, whom is stalked by a priest, a person whom she trusts, respects and even loves in the beginning. While there's the use of symbolism, I did not feel like this book is in any way over the top religious, I felt like Father Mark could have been anyone, boy scout troop leader, teacher, guidance councilor, anyone in our kids lives they look up to, and trust.
The Gorgeous Game is powerful, and frankly alarmingly scary, it reminded me that though most people in this world are ultimately good, there are those that over step boundaries set – and we as parents must reach out to our kids, and make them comfortable not only enough with themselves to speak up, but also let them know that we, as parents, offer a safe place – no matter what they have to tell us, for them to land. The Gorgeous Game is a worth while read, powerful and poignant, with a wonderful ending, that offers just enough to leave you satisfied, yet not so over the top to make you think it's fake. I give it 4 mushrooms, and will be on the look out for Donna Freitas next book!
To read my full review...The Gorgeous Game on Book Crazy.
The Gorgeous Game is powerful, and frankly alarmingly scary, it reminded me that though most people in this world are ultimately good, there are those that over step boundaries set – and we as parents must reach out to our kids, and make them comfortable not only enough with themselves to speak up, but also let them know that we, as parents, offer a safe place – no matter what they have to tell us, for them to land. The Gorgeous Game is a worth while read, powerful and poignant, with a wonderful ending, that offers just enough to leave you satisfied, yet not so over the top to make you think it's fake. I give it 4 mushrooms, and will be on the look out for Donna Freitas next book!
To read my full review...The Gorgeous Game on Book Crazy.
May 15, 2010
I cannot begin to describe the powerful emotion that this book holds. Between that and the beautiful, almost poetic way that Freitas writes, This Gorgeous Game left me completely stunned.
Father Mark Brendan, Olivia’s favorite author and literary hero whom had picked her as the winning entry for a high school fiction contest, is one of the most scariest villains I’ve ever read; partly because he’s not really a villain. He’s terrifying because he’s real. His actions and emotions are real, and while it’s clear that his focus is not to harm Olivia, we’re sent on an intense thrill-ride as she unravels a slightly darker side to a man who has always been so bright.
The book has quite a few references to religion, but it didn’t make me squirm like it usually does. Religion plays an important part in this story; how a man of faith, put up on such a high pedestal of morals, is capable of stirring up such fear makes him all the more scary.
While I think the ending was a bit dull for the dramatic build of the rest of the novel, I absolutely loved This Gorgeous Game. Olivia’s story conveys that monsters and murderers and nightmares aren’t the only things capable of getting under your skin; sometimes that kind of fear can be closer than you think. I definitely recommend this to everyone interested in an intense read!
Father Mark Brendan, Olivia’s favorite author and literary hero whom had picked her as the winning entry for a high school fiction contest, is one of the most scariest villains I’ve ever read; partly because he’s not really a villain. He’s terrifying because he’s real. His actions and emotions are real, and while it’s clear that his focus is not to harm Olivia, we’re sent on an intense thrill-ride as she unravels a slightly darker side to a man who has always been so bright.
The book has quite a few references to religion, but it didn’t make me squirm like it usually does. Religion plays an important part in this story; how a man of faith, put up on such a high pedestal of morals, is capable of stirring up such fear makes him all the more scary.
While I think the ending was a bit dull for the dramatic build of the rest of the novel, I absolutely loved This Gorgeous Game. Olivia’s story conveys that monsters and murderers and nightmares aren’t the only things capable of getting under your skin; sometimes that kind of fear can be closer than you think. I definitely recommend this to everyone interested in an intense read!
March 17, 2013
Well, first off I must say I really did like this book. If you are looking for a lightening fast afternoon read with a quick engaging, angst filled plot then this book will certainly fit the bill and I absolutely recommend it.
I read it in a couple hours of pure entertainment and it was a delightful (probably not the right word because of the subject matter...) way to past a lazy Saturday afternoon. The writing and plot was engaging and I didn't put this book done. The mentor- mentee relationship turned dark was intriguing and I wanted desperately to find out how it would turn out. Olivia and co were a likable bunch. All in all, it was a pretty fantastic read.
However, I will forget it within weeks. It is not a book that will stay with me. The characters and plot weren't particularly well developed, perhaps due to its lightning fast-ness, perhaps not. I didn't have a whole lot of emotion invested in this book (I really did want to find out what happened next) but there were never moments of heart pounding terror or suspense and I never feared for Olivia's safety. Frankly, some heart pounding would have done amazing things for this book. This book just lacked a certain je ne sais quoi.
If you are looking for an ice cream read that is delicious as it goes down but does not have a whole lot of substance or staying power, then this book is for you.
I read it in a couple hours of pure entertainment and it was a delightful (probably not the right word because of the subject matter...) way to past a lazy Saturday afternoon. The writing and plot was engaging and I didn't put this book done. The mentor- mentee relationship turned dark was intriguing and I wanted desperately to find out how it would turn out. Olivia and co were a likable bunch. All in all, it was a pretty fantastic read.
However, I will forget it within weeks. It is not a book that will stay with me. The characters and plot weren't particularly well developed, perhaps due to its lightning fast-ness, perhaps not. I didn't have a whole lot of emotion invested in this book (I really did want to find out what happened next) but there were never moments of heart pounding terror or suspense and I never feared for Olivia's safety. Frankly, some heart pounding would have done amazing things for this book. This book just lacked a certain je ne sais quoi.
If you are looking for an ice cream read that is delicious as it goes down but does not have a whole lot of substance or staying power, then this book is for you.
April 14, 2017
Olivia Peters, the protagonist in Donna Freitas’ YA novel This Gorgeous Game, is a seventeen-year-old aspiring writer who lives with her single mom and older sister in a close knit Catholic community in Boston. How Catholic? Let’s just say that the Peters’ have lots of priests and nuns for dinner and Olivia attends a high school where the principal is a nun.
Olivia is beautiful and outgoing, but she’s one of those girls who doesn’t really know it – or, if she knows it, she doesn’t flaunt it. She’s a good girl. She’s obedient. All she wants- all she can ever remember wanting – is to be a writer. When she wins the first annual Emerging Writers High School Fiction Prize she admits “I’ve always loved writing but I didn’t really think it would amount to anything.” The prize is substantial: a ten thousand dollar scholarship towards the college of Olivia’s choice, publication of her story and a spot in Father Mark Brendan’s prestigious summer fiction seminar.
Yeah, that Mark Brendan. Olivia knows him – by reputation, at least.
I am struck by the tiny lines that web from his smiling eyes, the gleam from his perfect white teeth, his thick salt-and-pepper hair, the size of his hands, so large, the hands of a strong man. Everything about him seems to glow from within and soon I am aware that I am not the only person in the room who finds this visitor striking.
This priest is a celebrity, and also super-creepy. I mean, c’mon, the first thing he does is invite Olivia for a drink. She shows up in her school uniform and drinks hot chocolate while he drinks scotch and holds court.
I probably shouldn’t say this, but the moment I first saw you, I wondered to myself: how did so much talent, such insight and imagination, come from a girl so young, and with such startling beauty? What a beauty! I thought. God must have such extraordinary plans for such a creation as this.
In the beginning, Olivia basks in the glow of Father Mark’s attention: the private meetings to (ostensibly, at least) work on editing her story, the notes he leaves for her, the packages he sends. But soon Olivia is feeling isolated from her friends and family and Mark’s enthusiasm for her talent starts to feel like a yoke around her neck. He turns up unexpectedly in places he shouldn’t be, waits for her outside the school, gives her inappropriate gifts, calls her incessantly.
Turns out, Father Mark is not only a talented writer, but a talented stalker, too. Is it because of his celebrity status that the adults in Olivia’s life don’t see the change in her demeanor: she stops eating, her hair is listless, the spark is gone. She makes excuses until she can’t anymore, but I was really disappointed in her mother and in Sister June, the school principal, who seemed to have some misgivings early on, but didn’t intervene.
This Gorgeous Game is a page-turner that highlights the ways in which someone in a position of power takes advantage of someone vulnerable. There is nothing graphic here and Olivia is a likeable narrator, if a little sheltered and naïve – which is, of course, completely understandable given her upbringing.
Olivia is beautiful and outgoing, but she’s one of those girls who doesn’t really know it – or, if she knows it, she doesn’t flaunt it. She’s a good girl. She’s obedient. All she wants- all she can ever remember wanting – is to be a writer. When she wins the first annual Emerging Writers High School Fiction Prize she admits “I’ve always loved writing but I didn’t really think it would amount to anything.” The prize is substantial: a ten thousand dollar scholarship towards the college of Olivia’s choice, publication of her story and a spot in Father Mark Brendan’s prestigious summer fiction seminar.
Yeah, that Mark Brendan. Olivia knows him – by reputation, at least.
I am struck by the tiny lines that web from his smiling eyes, the gleam from his perfect white teeth, his thick salt-and-pepper hair, the size of his hands, so large, the hands of a strong man. Everything about him seems to glow from within and soon I am aware that I am not the only person in the room who finds this visitor striking.
This priest is a celebrity, and also super-creepy. I mean, c’mon, the first thing he does is invite Olivia for a drink. She shows up in her school uniform and drinks hot chocolate while he drinks scotch and holds court.
I probably shouldn’t say this, but the moment I first saw you, I wondered to myself: how did so much talent, such insight and imagination, come from a girl so young, and with such startling beauty? What a beauty! I thought. God must have such extraordinary plans for such a creation as this.
In the beginning, Olivia basks in the glow of Father Mark’s attention: the private meetings to (ostensibly, at least) work on editing her story, the notes he leaves for her, the packages he sends. But soon Olivia is feeling isolated from her friends and family and Mark’s enthusiasm for her talent starts to feel like a yoke around her neck. He turns up unexpectedly in places he shouldn’t be, waits for her outside the school, gives her inappropriate gifts, calls her incessantly.
Turns out, Father Mark is not only a talented writer, but a talented stalker, too. Is it because of his celebrity status that the adults in Olivia’s life don’t see the change in her demeanor: she stops eating, her hair is listless, the spark is gone. She makes excuses until she can’t anymore, but I was really disappointed in her mother and in Sister June, the school principal, who seemed to have some misgivings early on, but didn’t intervene.
This Gorgeous Game is a page-turner that highlights the ways in which someone in a position of power takes advantage of someone vulnerable. There is nothing graphic here and Olivia is a likeable narrator, if a little sheltered and naïve – which is, of course, completely understandable given her upbringing.
May 1, 2019
This was the next stop on my tour of books I read in high school that stuck with me a little bit but not enough that I remembered any actual plot details. God, this book is terrible! We're supposed to believe the main character is an amazing writer, but the writing in this book makes that a tough stretch of the imagination. We need a lot more showing and less telling. We hear a lot about how stressed out the main character is getting by all the Father Mark attention, but don't actually see his stalking -- at least not in as much detail as I think is warranted. The book does get a lot better towards the end, but the actual ENDING is also just way too wrapped-up-in-a-bow perfect to be at all believable.
Finally, the way the teenagers in this book talk is not the way teenagers have ever talked in the history of the world. Dialogue is not Freitas' strong point.
The most fun part of this book is that it takes place in Boston, where I live, so I enjoyed seeing all the Boston institutions the characters went to in their everyday lives.
Finally, the way the teenagers in this book talk is not the way teenagers have ever talked in the history of the world. Dialogue is not Freitas' strong point.
The most fun part of this book is that it takes place in Boston, where I live, so I enjoyed seeing all the Boston institutions the characters went to in their everyday lives.
March 19, 2018
3.5/5
This book is suffocating, but I just felt like I should have been more emotionally rattled by it. Maybe it just wasn't bad enough? Is that bad, am I becoming desensitised? This is an important story to tell, and it definitely does show the horrible impact of being an object of obsession. Luckily I've never experienced this before, but Freitas depicts it realistically. I'm agnostic, so all the religious stuff kind of went over my head. We all hear about priests taking advantage of younger people and children though, so reading a story like this was chilling. I like that Olivia decided to take matters into her own hands in a way - it could have gotten a lot worse. The ending felt a tad rushed, but it was a happy ending and her boyfriend is so supportive and cute and I loved him. :)
I also liked how meta This Gorgeous Game was. And all the quotes from Thomas Merton set the tone of the book beautifully.
This book is suffocating, but I just felt like I should have been more emotionally rattled by it. Maybe it just wasn't bad enough? Is that bad, am I becoming desensitised? This is an important story to tell, and it definitely does show the horrible impact of being an object of obsession. Luckily I've never experienced this before, but Freitas depicts it realistically. I'm agnostic, so all the religious stuff kind of went over my head. We all hear about priests taking advantage of younger people and children though, so reading a story like this was chilling. I like that Olivia decided to take matters into her own hands in a way - it could have gotten a lot worse. The ending felt a tad rushed, but it was a happy ending and her boyfriend is so supportive and cute and I loved him. :)
I also liked how meta This Gorgeous Game was. And all the quotes from Thomas Merton set the tone of the book beautifully.
January 6, 2024
When I started this book, I thought the main character was childish, innocent. I thought it was just poor writing. But holy shit I was wrong. The author was purposeful with this and I don’t think I have ever been so affected by a book like this. I spent the last hour speed reading this book because I was so invested once things began to turn. I got chills and had to take breaks to stop from physically freaking out and vomiting. This book is not for the faint of heart, but it honestly needs to be read by everyone.
March 31, 2018
This book teaches that sometimes things aren't going to end on their own. You have to speak up for something to happen. You have to speak up for someone to help you and do something about it.
December 12, 2012
Originally published at Book Harbinger.
Olivia Peters is in disbelief. Being called to the principal’s office in the middle of class can only mean one thing: that she won first place in the first annual emerging high school fiction writers’ competition. Her literary idol, renowned author Father Mark Brendan selected her story and delivered the news himself. Impressed and at times star struck, normally grounded Olivia is overjoyed. She can’t wait to attend his summer seminar and the one-on-one revising sessions they will undergo before her story is ready to be published. Quickly the calls, letters, notes, emails, and text messages from Father Mark flood in, and Olivia basks in all the attention. But instead of abating after the revisions are well underway, the correspondence and demands from Father Mark to read this and attend that only increase. Suddenly Olivia is overwhelmed and repulsed by a man to whom she should be eternally grateful. Even with the support of friends and family, how can she escape the game Father Mark is playing?
The striking premise, cover, and title of Donna Freitas’ This Gorgeous Game never left the back of my mind after reading Angie’s review of the book over two years ago. Naturally though, I didn’t run out to buy or borrow a copy straightaway. I was hesitant to discover the abuse and victimization I’d find within. At the time, just reading Angie’s review and the publisher’s summary was chilling enough. Fast forward to this fall as I was gearing up to attend NCTE’s annual conference and lo and behold, Donna Freitas was scheduled to make an appearance on the religious YA panel. And while she ended up dropping out due to scheduling conflicts created by hurricane Sandy, it was the perfect excuse for me to finally read one of her books. And I have absolutely no regrets in doing so. This Gorgeous Game lives up to its author blurbs (Sara Zarr and Francisco X. Stork), its many glowing reviews, and its frightening but powerful cover and title, and as I type I’m currently in the middle of Freitas’ latest contemporary novel, The Survival Kit.
I adore books that hook me from the first page, and This Gorgeous Game did with its chilling Thomas Merton epigraph and prologue-style opening chapter. This chapter from the future stands in palpable contrast to the next chapter, which is the real beginning of the story, when Olivia is all smiles and happiness and Father Mark the saintly priest he appears to be. The change in their relationship happens so quickly, almost imperceptibly, that it felt very true to life, as it should. Freitas herself drew from her own experience. I could understand the justification and denial Olivia went through in her isolation and why she remained silent for so long. Thankfully the creepier moments of her relationship with Father Mark are intense but not unbearable. Olivia’s anxiety is tempered by her normal high school interactions with her supportive friends Ash and Jada and a slow-developing romance with cute college student Jamie, and for the novel’s slim length it is surprisingly well-characterized. But what I commend the most is how tautly written This Gorgeous Game is. Freitas rides the line between indulgence and restraint in her storytelling flawlessly. While I could foresee the consistency of the emotional subtlety, I didn’t see how empowering and absolutely perfect those concluding lines would be. There is also an evocative underlying message about the power of the written word and faith. Faith in God, faith in the people who surround you, and faith in the fact that you are never alone. Because of this and the above-mentioned qualities This Gorgeous Game is a YA contemp that will stick with me for a long time.
Olivia Peters is in disbelief. Being called to the principal’s office in the middle of class can only mean one thing: that she won first place in the first annual emerging high school fiction writers’ competition. Her literary idol, renowned author Father Mark Brendan selected her story and delivered the news himself. Impressed and at times star struck, normally grounded Olivia is overjoyed. She can’t wait to attend his summer seminar and the one-on-one revising sessions they will undergo before her story is ready to be published. Quickly the calls, letters, notes, emails, and text messages from Father Mark flood in, and Olivia basks in all the attention. But instead of abating after the revisions are well underway, the correspondence and demands from Father Mark to read this and attend that only increase. Suddenly Olivia is overwhelmed and repulsed by a man to whom she should be eternally grateful. Even with the support of friends and family, how can she escape the game Father Mark is playing?
The striking premise, cover, and title of Donna Freitas’ This Gorgeous Game never left the back of my mind after reading Angie’s review of the book over two years ago. Naturally though, I didn’t run out to buy or borrow a copy straightaway. I was hesitant to discover the abuse and victimization I’d find within. At the time, just reading Angie’s review and the publisher’s summary was chilling enough. Fast forward to this fall as I was gearing up to attend NCTE’s annual conference and lo and behold, Donna Freitas was scheduled to make an appearance on the religious YA panel. And while she ended up dropping out due to scheduling conflicts created by hurricane Sandy, it was the perfect excuse for me to finally read one of her books. And I have absolutely no regrets in doing so. This Gorgeous Game lives up to its author blurbs (Sara Zarr and Francisco X. Stork), its many glowing reviews, and its frightening but powerful cover and title, and as I type I’m currently in the middle of Freitas’ latest contemporary novel, The Survival Kit.
I adore books that hook me from the first page, and This Gorgeous Game did with its chilling Thomas Merton epigraph and prologue-style opening chapter. This chapter from the future stands in palpable contrast to the next chapter, which is the real beginning of the story, when Olivia is all smiles and happiness and Father Mark the saintly priest he appears to be. The change in their relationship happens so quickly, almost imperceptibly, that it felt very true to life, as it should. Freitas herself drew from her own experience. I could understand the justification and denial Olivia went through in her isolation and why she remained silent for so long. Thankfully the creepier moments of her relationship with Father Mark are intense but not unbearable. Olivia’s anxiety is tempered by her normal high school interactions with her supportive friends Ash and Jada and a slow-developing romance with cute college student Jamie, and for the novel’s slim length it is surprisingly well-characterized. But what I commend the most is how tautly written This Gorgeous Game is. Freitas rides the line between indulgence and restraint in her storytelling flawlessly. While I could foresee the consistency of the emotional subtlety, I didn’t see how empowering and absolutely perfect those concluding lines would be. There is also an evocative underlying message about the power of the written word and faith. Faith in God, faith in the people who surround you, and faith in the fact that you are never alone. Because of this and the above-mentioned qualities This Gorgeous Game is a YA contemp that will stick with me for a long time.
October 21, 2020
There are enough books about underage girls, usually in high school, having to ward off the advances of older male authority figures and/or engaging with them inappropriately that we may as well make it a whole genre on its own at this point. Everyone knows about Lolita (a book I personally despise), and recently My Dark Vanessa (a book that I thought did a much better job at describing this issue) became an instant bestseller. Both of these books deal with the difficult topic of dangerous attractions and illegal sexual relationships.
I picked up This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas because I was hopeful that I would see some justice; I wanted to watch the female protagonist be able to break away from the predatory male antagonist and live a fulfilling life. This Gorgeous Game, unlike Lolita and My Dark Vanessa, is geared toward teenage readers and also explores themes involving Catholic families and traditions. Further, the protagonist is not attracted to the predatory antagonist and does not try to encourage his stalking, which is different than the situations in Lolita and My Dark Vanessa.
Olivia, the protagonist, is a beautiful but shy high school student who won a prestigious new writing award. This award puts her under the tutelage of Father Mark, a priest and professor at the local college. Almost immediately, Father Mark doesn't act like a mentor should- The reader can instantly tell that he is up to no good. At the same time, we can empathize with Olivia, who is so used to being polite and respecting authority that she tries to see the best in him, even as she feels increasingly more uncomfortable and afraid. It's especially hard for Olivia since her well-meaning friends, family, and new boyfriend all think well of Father Mark, who is something of a local celebrity.
The writing is excellent. I never doubted that the story was being narrated by a teenage girl who was also a literary enthusiast- that voice can be hard to pull off, but Freitas did it. This book did a great job .
This is only a testament to how well this book was written, but you will probably feel super uncomfortable and gross while reading this book. The subtext evokes a constant sense of dread and awkwardness- even the happy moments seem slightly tainted by it. I also thought that the ending seemed rushed, but I did like how it ended overall.
I picked up This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas because I was hopeful that I would see some justice; I wanted to watch the female protagonist be able to break away from the predatory male antagonist and live a fulfilling life. This Gorgeous Game, unlike Lolita and My Dark Vanessa, is geared toward teenage readers and also explores themes involving Catholic families and traditions. Further, the protagonist is not attracted to the predatory antagonist and does not try to encourage his stalking, which is different than the situations in Lolita and My Dark Vanessa.
Olivia, the protagonist, is a beautiful but shy high school student who won a prestigious new writing award. This award puts her under the tutelage of Father Mark, a priest and professor at the local college. Almost immediately, Father Mark doesn't act like a mentor should- The reader can instantly tell that he is up to no good. At the same time, we can empathize with Olivia, who is so used to being polite and respecting authority that she tries to see the best in him, even as she feels increasingly more uncomfortable and afraid. It's especially hard for Olivia since her well-meaning friends, family, and new boyfriend all think well of Father Mark, who is something of a local celebrity.
The writing is excellent. I never doubted that the story was being narrated by a teenage girl who was also a literary enthusiast- that voice can be hard to pull off, but Freitas did it. This book did a great job .
This is only a testament to how well this book was written, but you will probably feel super uncomfortable and gross while reading this book. The subtext evokes a constant sense of dread and awkwardness- even the happy moments seem slightly tainted by it. I also thought that the ending seemed rushed, but I did like how it ended overall.
April 29, 2013
The caption on the cover of the book was posed as a rhetorical question that caught my attention. It was a brief but effective insight into the main theme of the text, trust.
This book completes the 'Book with a female main character' category on the book blog bingo board. I enjoy reading books with female main characters, especially if they are teens because I can compare my life to theirs. I really enjoyed reading this book.
A character that I found interesting was Olivia Peters. She was the main character and a really key part in this book. I felt like I could really feel her emotions while reading this story. This was written in Olivia's point of view so many of her feelings were expressed. Olivia started of happy and grateful that she was receiving this attention from Father Mark then as this continued she realized what it really was and she began to feel stuck, clueless and not knowing what to do.
Something I learnt from this book is to never be afraid to speak up. If you feel uncomfortable or taken advantage of, always tell someone who can help you. At first Olivia was too scared to speak up when she realized what Father Mark was actually trying to do, then she found the courage to tell someone. It was the right thing to do and in the end she was thankful.
"Who do you turn to when the person you're supposed to trust turns out to be the most dangerous person you've ever met"
This was a quote from 'this gorgeous game' that caught my attention. This ties into what I have learnt from this book perfectly. It also proposes that fact that some people you think you can trust aren't always who they seem to be. In this case Father Mark, he was Olivia's idol and she thought that she could trust him until she realized what he was actually doing.
This book completes the 'Book with a female main character' category on the book blog bingo board. I enjoy reading books with female main characters, especially if they are teens because I can compare my life to theirs. I really enjoyed reading this book.
A character that I found interesting was Olivia Peters. She was the main character and a really key part in this book. I felt like I could really feel her emotions while reading this story. This was written in Olivia's point of view so many of her feelings were expressed. Olivia started of happy and grateful that she was receiving this attention from Father Mark then as this continued she realized what it really was and she began to feel stuck, clueless and not knowing what to do.
Something I learnt from this book is to never be afraid to speak up. If you feel uncomfortable or taken advantage of, always tell someone who can help you. At first Olivia was too scared to speak up when she realized what Father Mark was actually trying to do, then she found the courage to tell someone. It was the right thing to do and in the end she was thankful.
"Who do you turn to when the person you're supposed to trust turns out to be the most dangerous person you've ever met"
This was a quote from 'this gorgeous game' that caught my attention. This ties into what I have learnt from this book perfectly. It also proposes that fact that some people you think you can trust aren't always who they seem to be. In this case Father Mark, he was Olivia's idol and she thought that she could trust him until she realized what he was actually doing.
June 3, 2010
THIS GORGEOUS GAME is one of those books that, try as hard as you can, you won’t be able to get off your mind after reading. It’s chilling and astonishingly well-written, and if you’re looking for a book that will disturb and move you, this should be the one.
Stalking is extremely difficult to discuss, because it’s personal, upsetting, and so subtle you don’t realize something’s wrong until it’s already happened. That’s why what Donna Freitas has accomplished in THIS GORGEOUS GAME is so impressive and respectable. In writing alternatingly lyrical and down-to-earth, Freitas captures the simultaneous realism and surrealism of Olivia’s situation. Passages of unearthly beauty entwine with creepy situations for the mood that this story needs to be effectively convincing.
Olivia narrates her story with all the subtlety that this topic demands. Most of us will know what’s happening, can see the signs, but we can also see why Olivia could not have noticed the signs like the way we with our foresight can. Olivia’s story perfectly captures the terror of stalking, because it’s precisely its near-invisibility that makes it so disturbingly powerful.
THIS GORGEOUS GAME is as far from a light read as you can get. I still get goosebumps every time I think about or try to talk about this book, which hopefully shows the power that Olivia’s story had over me, the effect of Donna Freitas’ words. If physical horror isn’t your thing and you want to read something that will affect you profoundly, THIS GORGEOUS GAME is the ultimate choice. See if you get chills from reading it as I did.
Stalking is extremely difficult to discuss, because it’s personal, upsetting, and so subtle you don’t realize something’s wrong until it’s already happened. That’s why what Donna Freitas has accomplished in THIS GORGEOUS GAME is so impressive and respectable. In writing alternatingly lyrical and down-to-earth, Freitas captures the simultaneous realism and surrealism of Olivia’s situation. Passages of unearthly beauty entwine with creepy situations for the mood that this story needs to be effectively convincing.
Olivia narrates her story with all the subtlety that this topic demands. Most of us will know what’s happening, can see the signs, but we can also see why Olivia could not have noticed the signs like the way we with our foresight can. Olivia’s story perfectly captures the terror of stalking, because it’s precisely its near-invisibility that makes it so disturbingly powerful.
THIS GORGEOUS GAME is as far from a light read as you can get. I still get goosebumps every time I think about or try to talk about this book, which hopefully shows the power that Olivia’s story had over me, the effect of Donna Freitas’ words. If physical horror isn’t your thing and you want to read something that will affect you profoundly, THIS GORGEOUS GAME is the ultimate choice. See if you get chills from reading it as I did.
May 9, 2010
Olivia Peters is thrilled when she learns she won first prize in an Emerging Writers High School Fiction contest. This means she gets a spot in Father Mark Brendan's writing seminar at Holy Mary University. She is so excited to be chosen and have the attention of an admired writer that she is quick to dismiss the sense that it may all be a little too abnormal. She has Father Mark lavishing praise on her writing, she's caught the eye of college boy Jamie Grant, and life couldn't be better. But then things do start to feel rather weird and out-of-place, and Olivia's perfect life spins quickly out of control.
This Gorgeous Game is a disturbing look at an inappropriate relationship. Though Father Mark's attention never becomes sinister, the reader will feel just as panicked and trapped as Olivia does. Freitas writes extremely beautiful prose on a very difficult subject, getting deep inside Olivia's thoughts and feelings. I think there are pieces to Olivia's life that all readers out there will be able to identify with. Plus, I loved the two best friends in Ash and Jada - Olivia is so lucky to have friends that love her so much! There are not many YA books written on this topic, and this book could stand as a cautionary tale for girls who might find themselves in a similar position as Olivia. A quick book that I read in one sitting. And though I breathed a sigh of relief when the last page was turned, it will haunt me in the years to come.
This Gorgeous Game is a disturbing look at an inappropriate relationship. Though Father Mark's attention never becomes sinister, the reader will feel just as panicked and trapped as Olivia does. Freitas writes extremely beautiful prose on a very difficult subject, getting deep inside Olivia's thoughts and feelings. I think there are pieces to Olivia's life that all readers out there will be able to identify with. Plus, I loved the two best friends in Ash and Jada - Olivia is so lucky to have friends that love her so much! There are not many YA books written on this topic, and this book could stand as a cautionary tale for girls who might find themselves in a similar position as Olivia. A quick book that I read in one sitting. And though I breathed a sigh of relief when the last page was turned, it will haunt me in the years to come.
December 11, 2010
There have been other YA books about predatory males obsessing over high school girls, but what makes this one stand out is its quiet intensity. There is no violence or physicality here, just a believable (and chilling) portrait of an adult's psychological and emotional abuse of a young girl who, initially gratified by the interest of her mentor, comes to see his behavior as inappropriate. The writing is subtle and nuanced in this hard-to-forget novel.
April 19, 2010
4.5, easily.
This was incredible and will resonate with a LOT of teens. It was a story needing to be told. Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2010...
This was incredible and will resonate with a LOT of teens. It was a story needing to be told. Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2010...
July 4, 2018
This Gorgeous Game was a creepy, sinister read that had me gripped from the first page. Although not a pleasant story, it was extremely topical and by the end my nerves were nearly as frayed as Olivia's.
Watching talented, pretty, seventeen-year-old Olivia's life gradually unravel, thanks to the subtle scheming of a man she trusted and admired, was truly horrifying. Father Mark's slow but steady, deliberate and insidious psychological manipulation of her was relentless. Thank goodness Olivia had people who loved and supported her, and who noticed the changes that were taking place thanks to Father Mark's persistence and Olivia's growing sense of hopelessness.
The characters were all well-developed and their reactions throughout the book rang true, especially Olivia's who was flattered at first by Father Mark's attention then started to feel concern as his gift, emails, phone calls and visits escalated. Her voice was utterly believable. I also liked Sister June, Olivia's principal, and her two friends, Jada and Ash.
Father Mark was a frightening character. Seen as a charming, popular pillar of society by the community, he was cold and calculating, and truly sinister. What I would have liked was some backstory into Father Mark's life. Was Olivia his first victim? Where had he been posted before Sacred Heart? Why did he find Olivia so desirable? etc.
However, I don't think the author was pointing the finger at priests in particular. Father Mark could just as easily have been a teacher, coach, relative, etc. and I liked that despite her trauma, Olivia didn't lose her faith. Overall, This Gorgeous Game was a compelling novel that draws the reader into Father Mark's web as quickly as it did Olivia.
Watching talented, pretty, seventeen-year-old Olivia's life gradually unravel, thanks to the subtle scheming of a man she trusted and admired, was truly horrifying. Father Mark's slow but steady, deliberate and insidious psychological manipulation of her was relentless. Thank goodness Olivia had people who loved and supported her, and who noticed the changes that were taking place thanks to Father Mark's persistence and Olivia's growing sense of hopelessness.
The characters were all well-developed and their reactions throughout the book rang true, especially Olivia's who was flattered at first by Father Mark's attention then started to feel concern as his gift, emails, phone calls and visits escalated. Her voice was utterly believable. I also liked Sister June, Olivia's principal, and her two friends, Jada and Ash.
Father Mark was a frightening character. Seen as a charming, popular pillar of society by the community, he was cold and calculating, and truly sinister. What I would have liked was some backstory into Father Mark's life. Was Olivia his first victim? Where had he been posted before Sacred Heart? Why did he find Olivia so desirable? etc.
However, I don't think the author was pointing the finger at priests in particular. Father Mark could just as easily have been a teacher, coach, relative, etc. and I liked that despite her trauma, Olivia didn't lose her faith. Overall, This Gorgeous Game was a compelling novel that draws the reader into Father Mark's web as quickly as it did Olivia.
June 27, 2017
High school junior Olivia Peters wins a story contest, securing a place in a college summer class taught by famous priest/author Father Mark Brendan. She is ecstatic at the opportunity - for a little while. Soon the calls, emails, and letters from Fr. Mark become overwhelming. But Olivia is afraid to tell anyone about her growing anxiety and fear.
This book started off slow and then got faster and faster and more suspenseful. At first Olivia's character seemed unrealistic but as she developed more I started to like her and feel for her. I can't comment if Fr. Mark's behavior was realistic because I haven't experienced something like this in real life. Jamie - the boyfriend - seems too perfect and pure, but who knows, maybe there are people like that in real life. All gripes aside, the book seems well thought out and researched. For Olivia, everything ties up in a neat bow at the end, but not wihout struggle. I would have liked to know the fate of certain other characters.
The spiritual element was pretty low, but there is a good message about giving your troubles to God and leaning on other people.
This book started off slow and then got faster and faster and more suspenseful. At first Olivia's character seemed unrealistic but as she developed more I started to like her and feel for her. I can't comment if Fr. Mark's behavior was realistic because I haven't experienced something like this in real life. Jamie - the boyfriend - seems too perfect and pure, but who knows, maybe there are people like that in real life. All gripes aside, the book seems well thought out and researched. For Olivia, everything ties up in a neat bow at the end, but not wihout struggle. I would have liked to know the fate of certain other characters.
The spiritual element was pretty low, but there is a good message about giving your troubles to God and leaning on other people.
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